Harry Brook lived up to his words before his Ashes debut as he did not curb his natural instinct to attack and batted with an ODI-like strike rate. Brook started off well as he pounced on every opportunity to score but was cautious against good deliveries as well. But the youngster’s stay at the crease did not last long as he became victim to a freak dismissal.
In the 38th over of Day 1, Lyon bowled from around the wicket. He got enough spin and bounce from the Edgbaston surface and the ball went up in the air after hitting the thigh pad. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey had no clue where the ball went as he searched for it and neither did Brook. The ball then bounced inside the crease and hit the wickets.
Brook was left distraught as he was batting well. He scored 32 runs from 37 deliveries including four fours. He shared a 51-run partnership with former England skipper Joe Root.
Before his Ashes debut, Brook had said that he will take Lyon on if the Australian off-spinner bowls a bad ball. He danced down the track and hit a boundary over off Lyon’s fourth delivery of the Test to him.
“If he bowls a good ball, I’m going to respect him,” Brook said. “Other than that, I’m going to try to take him on… If it is a bad ball I’m going to try to hit it for four or six.”
The 24-year-old had a similar take on fast bowlers as well.
“The Australians might have a little bit of extra pace, but if they bowl quicker it tends to go to the boundary quicker,” he said with a grin.
“I’m just looking to play the ball and I’m not really bothered who’s bowling at me. It’s the same old ball coming down. Obviously, they’re good but it’s just another cricket ball coming at me.
“I’ve always wanted to play against the best players in the world and see how good I really am.”
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